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{ the part where our heroine makes an life altering decision and our Leads meet }
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“Do you think this will really work?” Annapurna checked with her husband after the kids left. 

Durga prasad stayed silent for a while. His thoughts raced back to the past times he wished he could change.

“You don’t know Annapurna, how it is eating me up,"  He said sadly, “ The guilt of not being there for them when needed. It was because of Sekhar’s help we left that small town and moved to Kolkata to pursue my dreams. Remember how he took out his savings to get me started?

In a bid to build a mighty business empire in Kolkata, I somehow just lost track. I should have known, that Sekhar would never approach anyone for help not even when needed. But, I wish for once, that he could have just thought of me as his own. All he needed was to take one step toward his friend, but he didn't.

And what do I find, when I go in search of them after years? That they both died in an accident leaving behind a daughter to fend on her own? It took me a while to find the whereabouts of Swara, but when I met her, I couldn't tell Annapurna. It was such an overwhelming feeling. 

She has warm and innate goodness just like her parents. She is caring and compassionate and the way she stood up to tough times all alone…shows a lot of resilience. 

“And mind, She is stubborn too,” Dp smiled. “It took me a lot to convince her to give up her current job, but I am glad she accepted our offer. “

“Well! She definitely doesn't know that, along with role in Maheswari Inc, you have already played cards to make her our bahu. Why did you think she would fit Sanskaar?” Annapurna asked. She is yet to meet Swara, but she never questioned her husband’s choice. From the pictures, Swara looked lovely. Her smile was a perfect mix of innocence and buoyancy. Annapurna always shared a warm bond with the Bose family as neighbors.  Their loss was saddening, but this prospect looked like a silver lining.

“Well! She has a fire in her which can meet Sanskaar. You know how our son is. How dominating he could be if given a chance but with Swara, He will have a tough time. She is one, he needs in life. He needs to loosen up and see life for its beauty. I want him to be happy. And of course, You know the extent Sanskaar would go once he starts caring for a person. He can make Swara the happiest. I only hope it works,”  Dp wished. It was not just penancing for his guilt, but he knew somewhere Swara and Sanskaar are well matched.

Annapurna wished her husband was right!  

DP simply smiled.  There is a twist in the tale no one is aware of. 

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Swara was all set for her day 1 officially at Maheshwari Inc. Her life would have been smoother if not for the accident of her parents. It was in the last semester of her college, she turned all alone with no one to turn to. 

It hasn't been easy but wasn't that life? The tough master who brings forth a fighter within. She had always been taught to fight, not give up. Stand up to the right and condemn wrong, no matter who it was. 

She shifted to a lady's hostel, finished college, and found a simple administrative job to get her going. For starters, It offered her enough to tend to her basic needs. Well, She hasn't ever been the extravagant one. Talk about the perks of being from a middle-class family. She had always been advised to treat money with care and caution. Financial discipline always helps. It did

She had been saving little by little. And it's been 2 years of work. A little hike of 5% after a year didn't help much but her boss wasn't willing to go beyond, for it was a small firm. And the very reason why she chose a startup that offered ample opportunity to learn. She wanted to gain experience before heading for greater opportunities.  And right when she was thinking of making a move, an opportunity came her way. 

Mr. Durga Prasad Maheswari.

It surprised her that a man of his stature wanted to meet her. She could make no connection. They met for a coffee in a posh restaurant she would hesitate to step in usually, unless she wanted to throw away a nice chunk of her salary. He was sweet, which she didn't expect at all as opposed to his intimidating presence. He said he had known her family before they moved to Kolkata. He felt sorry and sad at the turn of events. 

“I am forever indebted to your dad, Swara beta. I couldn't do anything for your dad, but  I hope you will let me …”

“No Uncle Ji” Swara was quick to refuse. “ I am glad I found someone who knows my parents and talks of them in such high regard. But I would rather not take any help. I am doing good. “

“You haven't heard what I have for you.” Dp smiled. “A tip from this old man. Listen carefully before refusing.” And he went on to explain the role of EA. It is not as easy as it seems on paper. It requires a solid understanding of your executive’s job, as well as a clear view of the company’s core goals, managing their workload and prioritising tasks in a fast-paced corporate environment, and much more. 

“It is a great learning opportunity if you consider it. We offer to pay much more than basic company standards. The perks we offer to our employees are no less. They are a family as well. Right!”

And the number he quoted as the pay was mind-boggling for Swara. It was 5 times her current pay. But money wasn't the only factor for Swara. They talked a little more about the company. DP noted Swara was keen and quick to grasp.  She had the right questions to ask. Perfect, He thought. 

“Can I take some time to make a decision?” Swara asked a little hesitant. 

“Of Course! This is my number and my card. I will wait for your call. I hope it will be positive. “ 

He insisted on dropping her back and they chatted a little more. He told about his family, his wife Annapurna his two sons, “ You should come to meet her one day, in fact, meet us all, “ He said. 

She would love to. If he is so lovely, his family would be too. She could do it with little love & affection, which she was deprived of in the moment of loss.

Swara took a day's time. It would be foolish to let go of such an opportunity. It had nice pay meaning more savings. Learning opportunity. Oh yes! Maheswari Inc would definitely add weight to her credentials and she will work with such a nice person. It has to be easy. 

What would it take to meet Durga prasad Maheshwari in person, Swara Wondered, if he didn't come along? God knows weeks to months before she could manage an appointment. And now she would be managing all his schedules and meetings and much more. More she thought, the more appealing the idea was.

She called the next day and took up the offer.

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It had been two weeks, she had been working with Nancy. The woman is in her 60’s. She was a genius at work and the sweetest. And Swara couldn’t be happier to learn from her. 

She would be trained first and then put on work, Nancy told her  “It might feel overwhelming all at once on the job. Hence I want you to get a hang of it. “ And Swara agreed. It was fun and much more than schedules. It involved gathering and analyzing data, preparing presentations, taking notes and providing follow-up on action items or deadlines that are discussed in a meeting, Project management …much more.

Swara felt thrilled. And she couldn't wait to start.

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Now seated in the cabin, Waiting for her boss, Swara looked around. In white and black with a touch of modern interiors, it screamed of good taste. Well! She expected more of a classic standard brown but … this was refreshing, wide, and open. Indoor plants added a little green. The desk, a glossy black surface, was neatly organized. 

 At one end stood an oversized, fluffy lounge chair in white. Running her fingers through it, Swara sighed. It Would be wonderful to sink into softness and simply relax. She might get one soon. And a lounge sofa too, Lovely.  One side of the cabin was stuffed with books. Swara quickly scanned titles. Nice collection there, she hummed a tune as she moved further.

She had plans to move to a nice locale after a few months. She no longer stayed in PG but shifted to an affordable studio apartment, perfect for single dwellers like her.  One day…Swara thought she will own something. A space of her own.

Breaking out of thoughts, she continued her tour. The glass walls at one end offered a solid view of  Maheswari Inc with all its tall, majestic buildings. Maheshwari inc itself is a grandeur. This cabin was no less, but it had such a personal touch.

She found her space set up in the cabin itself, well equipped, with blinds serving as partitions in between, contrary to the usual outside setup. Imagine running in at every buzz. This arrangement looked much better. 

She had received a part of her pay in advance, which she thought was generous of Maheshwari's. And she bought herself a few work suits.  Little outside her budget, but when working for the owner of Maheswari Inc, you ought to be professional. Swara giggled looking at her white shirt paired with a black pencil skirt. Definitely, Color coordinated with the cabin and looked at her watch 

Anytime now. Maybe she can grab a coffee. Dp uncle wouldn’t mind,  but she’s gonna be out and back quickly. As she took on her heels, right at the door she dashed into something hard, A wall out of where and before she could realize she stumbled and landed herself on …

“What the …”  Sanskaar froze.

A glance into those honey eyes, he was definitely lost for a minute or so, before he realised he was knocked by a petite woman half of his size, who at this moment was definitely thinking of him as her bed the way she was spread out right on him.

Sanskaar took in varied emotions on her face. Shock first, realisation next then a study of his face followed by frown between those delicately penciled brows and …

“Ok!  It's  a man, not a wall.”  Swara realised. Not any man, but a handsome man with those deep black eyes and those long lashes casting shadows.

Thankfully, he took the impact whoever it was. He has a nice nose too, a sharp, nice jawline, and stubble too. What is this man doing here? Shouldn't he be the hero in Mills and Boon's book? And he loves the gym, she could bet That hard rock body … the way he grabbed her taking the fall. He has strong arms …

Damn! Wait! Swara frowned and wriggled in his arms breaking whatever trance was holding her. His hands moved away. In a minute they stood staring at each other.

Swara was the first one to go. 

“Who are you? And what are you doing here? Do you have an appointment? How could you just barge into a cabin like that? Hello Mr, I am talking to you.” Swara went nonstop. Why is this man looking at her like she has lost her mind?

Sanskaar felt his tinge of annoyance taken over by amusement. Never ever did he imagined being interrogated like an intruder in his cabin. Shouldn’t he be the one to shoot all these questions?  “And may I ask who you are?” He raised an eyebrow, curious

Whoa! A sexy tone too.All rough and edgy. Swara cleared her mind and throat at once. “ I asked for an answer, not a question,” Swara countered. That earned a grin from Sanskaar

Maybe he has no clue yet. She is relatively new to space, No harm in a little introduction. Swara decided to be considerate.“Well! I am being nice here and going first. I am Swara Bose, The new EA of your boss.” She tipped her chin up. “Your turn.”

This could be entertaining Sanskaar grinned wider. “ Really? And have you met him yet?”

What a stupid question!  Swara rolled her eyes, “Of Course I did. That is why I am here.” 

He stood quiet for a minute and made a move. Swara watched him walk around with panther-like grace in calculated moments. He is acting as if he bloody damn owned the place. Who could it be taking so much liberty in MD’s cabin? Whoever,  she is gonna set him straight soon. Swara gasped at the audacity of this man taking over a high-end chair on the other side. He crossed a leg and leaned back comfortably. His eyes held her in place.

“Who are you? Swara questioned again, feeling a little impatient at the way he was affecting her. Then he gave a lethal smile, wicked in all senses.

“Your boss, Sanskaar Maheshwari.”

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